Liquid-level indicator



"May 14, 1929.

,w. B. JARVIS LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR Original Filed July 12, 1923.

DINVEI'VTOR BY William 15. Jam 15 mizfi Patented May 14, 1929.

UNITED STATES FATE OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. JARVIS, OF GRAND RAPIDE, ,MICHlTG-Al l'. ASSIGNOIL 'IO W. B.JARVIS COMPANY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN;

I LIQIIII)-LEVEL INDICATOR.

Original application filed July 12, 1923, Serial No. 651,123.

This application is a divisionof my Patent No. 1,683,038, issuedSeptember 47 1928.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved water gagefor automobile radiators and an improved means for securing the gage tothe radiator, permitting its being adjusted to face the dial at theproper or desired angle or relation.

A further object is to provide in a gage of the class described a valvemeans preventing the passage of the liquid to the dial and also i theescape of stem or water when the-radiator is in such condition as to belikely to eject the same.

Objects relating to structural details will definitely appear from thedetailed description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.x

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a gage enibodying the features of myinvention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig.1 looking in the direction of the arrows. i

Fig. 3 is a perspective VlGW. ofthe friction holding member.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view of the radiator neck engaging nut ormember.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the radiator cap provided witharms 2. It will be understood, however, that these arms are an optionalfeature and may be shaped as desired, or omitted.

The dial case 3 is, in the structure illustrated provided with front andrear windows at, the dial ease comprisinga frame into which the windowsare set as by the split rings 3. Within the case is a dial plate 1having a vertical slot 5 therein.

The dial casehas an integral shank 6 shouldered at 7 to rest on the topof the cap and the shank is arranged through the hole 8 in the cap. Theshank is internally shouldered at 18 to receive the valve disk or plate19 which is clamped against the shoulder by the tulzaular. float housing15 threaded into the shank. V

The shank 6 is externally threaded to receive the nut 9 so that thecapis clamped between the shoulder 7 and the nut 9. The nut has a recess 10in its upper side proradiator is in such condition end and is providedwith a screen 25.

i 27 which, for

- to illustrate or describe Divided and this application filed July 5,

Serial No. 290,406.

vided with radial slots 11 adapted to provide a seat for the springwasher 12 which has arms 13 recess. The arms 13 extend outwardly anddownwardly projecting beyond the periphery of the nut to engage the topor edge of the neck of a radiator when the cap is threaded thereon, thusfrictionally holding.

disposed in the slots 11 of the shank 6 has transverse ventilating ports22 H opening into the longitudinal bore 23 which communicates with thedial case and through which the rod 17 is arranged. This prevents thepassage of liquid to the dial. and also the escape of steam or waterwhen the as to be likely to eject steam or water or permit its escape.

Thefioat housing 15 is open at its lower It also has openings 26 at itsupper end, in the structure illustrated, provided with a screenconvenience, is wrapped around the housing. j

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment whichI have found very desirable. I have not attempted certain embodiments oradaptations which I contemplateas I believe the disclosure made willenable those skilled in. the art to embody or adapt-the same as may bedesired.

Having thus described my invention What I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is: j a g l. A dial plate, an indicator movablein cooperative relation with the dial, a base adapted to be mounted on aliquid container, a chambered neck above the base and supporting thedial plate, the chamber having small end openings and vent openingsthrough its sides, a tube extending downwardly-from the base, a floatwithin. the tube, and means passing through the end openings of the neckchamber and connecting the float and indicator.

- comprising a 2. A dial plate, an indicator movable in co-operativerelation to the dial plate, a base adapted to be mounted on a liquidcontainer, a chambered neck on said base supporting the dial plate, thechamber having small end openings and a lateral vent opening, atubeextending downwardly from the base and having its lower end'adapted tocommunicate freely with the liquid in the container and having anaperture above the normal level of the liquid in the container, a floatwithin the tube, a connector passing loosely through the end openings ofthe neck chamber and connecting the indicator and the float, and meanson the connector for sealing thelower end of the neck chamber when'theconnector is raised to a certain position.

3. In a liquid gage for auto radiators, dial, a dial. supporting platehaving an aperturedthreaded extension, an

indicator registering upon the dial, said dial support having a hollowcylindrical tube adapted to be suspended within a 1' 1nd container whosedepth and movement o liquidare tobe registered, the said tube cenclosing 'a float and having a screened openings near opening in thebottom end and a series of the top thereof whereby a circulation offluid is aflforded within the tube and the float thus moved or agitatedverticallyin accordance with the surface of the liquid in the container,an annular sup- 'porting nut threaded interiorly and exteriorly engagingsaid'extension by its inner threads and the radiator flange by itsexterior threads, and means passing through said aperture for connectingthe indicator and the'float, substantially as set forth.

4. A liquidgage for auto'radiators comprisinga dial, a'dial supportingplate hav ing an apertured annular extension threaded interiorly andexteriorly, an indicatorfor registering upon the dial, a hollowcylindrical tube threaded into said annular extension adapted to besuspended within a liquid container whose depth and movement of liquidare to be registered, the said tube having a threaded upper end adaptedto fit the interior threads of said extension, 0.

screened opening in the bottom end and a series of openings near the topthereof whereby a circulation of fluid is afforded within the tube, anannular supporting nut threaded interiorly and exteriorly, engaging saidextension by its inner threads and the radiatoryflange by, its exteriorthreads, and actuating/means enclosed in said tube and having positiveconnection with said indicator through said aperture whereby the li uidcirculation will moveor agitate the said actuating means in'accordancewith the surface of the liquid in the container.

5. liquid gage'for auto radiators comprising a dial plate,an indicatorfor'regisvertical tube member enclosing actuating means for theindicator through the intermediacy of the stem and having means forengaging the said hub, a nut element having screw threads within andwithout, the former adapted to engage said threads of the hub and thelatter adapted to engage the inner threads of the filler tube of theusual radiator on an auto, the said nut member being further provided onits face with radial slots, a heavy spring dished washer having anannular part and radially extending arms fitting the beforcsaid slotswhen these two parts are sucrposed and said arms extending beyond theperiphery of the nut so that the edge of the filler tube engages theends of the arms before engaging the rigid parts of the device, and acasting comprising a circular flanged inverted dishshaped piece andhaving manually ongageablc arms extending therefrom, said piece having acircular opening at its center to receive the said hub loosely thereinand the main flanged part adapted to receive therein the said nut andwasher in spaced relation from the said casting whereby, when assembled,the entire device may be turned as a unit by operating the casting armsto mount the gage on a radiator.

6. A water gage for auto radiators comprising a head having a supportingbase with a lower part provided with an externally threaded hub, a nuthaving inner screw threads adapted to engage the hub and externalthreads for engaging the threads of a filler tube of a radiator, thesaid nut being further provided on its upper face with radial slots. anda heavy warped spring washer including an annular part and radiallyextending arms fitting the said slots when the two parts are superposedand said arms extending beyond the periphery of the nut so that the edgeof the tiller tube engages the ends of the arms before reaching therigid parts of the device, and a casting having a flanged part toreceive therein the said nut and washer whereby, when assembled, theentire device may be turned on its axis as a unit by operating thecasting to mount the gage on a radiator.

7. In a liquid gage for auto radiators, the combination of an indicatingelement. a supporting base therefor, there being a vertical elongatedchamber within said base, said chamber being connected with the outerair by vent openings and said base being supternally and externally,said chamber being (vmnectcdwith said indicating element and saidtubular part by reduced openings, tubular means beneath said base havinga thread ed upper end engaging the inner threads of said hub, an annularnut having inner threads engaging the said hub and outs threads engagingthe simporting flange of an auto radiator, and float actuated meanspassing axially through the hub, the said chamber and its reducedopenings for operating said indi rating element, substantially as setforth.

8. Valve mechanism for opening and cloring automatically the openingbetween the actuator and indicator of an auto radiator gage, comprisinga slender connecting means, a sheet metal apertured disk having anupwardly extending protuberance about the aperture and fitting into saidopening, there being a corresponding socket on its lower face, and asphere fixed to said connecting means fitting said socketwhereby thesaid opening will be closed or opened as the said connecting means risesor falls, substantially as set forth.

9. An indicator for a receptacle having an internally threaded flange,comprising indi cating means, a base for the indicating means, a hubdepending from the base, a

handled collar fitting loosely on the hub below the base, an annular nutthreaded onto the hub below the collar binding the collar against thebase and having external threads adapted to engage the internal threadsor said receptacle flange, and means depending from said base andadapted to operate the indicator when the device is in position on thereceptacle.

10. A gage for automobile radiators in cluding a dial plate in a dialchamber and a support therefor, a connection between the dial chamberand support having a passage therethrough afl'ording communicationbetween the dial chamber and radiator when the is in place thereon, anindicator within the dial chamber, a float member below the dial chamberand support, a connecting member between the float and indicatorextending through the passage to the dial chamber, and means on saidconnecting member for closing said passage to the dial chamber when saidfloat and indicator are elevated.

11. In a liquid level gage, the combina tion of a dial ease providedwith a shank having a shouldered chamber therein and interually threadedbelow said shoulder, said shank having a vertical passage thereinconnecting said chamber to said dial case, the passage having a ventopening to the atmosphere, a tubular float housing having openings atthe top and bottom threaded into said shank, a valve plate clamped betwe1 said shoulder in said chamber and the end plate in said housing,

of said float housing, said valve plate having an opening therein toreceive an irulicator rod, an indicator rod reciprocating through saidplate and .aid passage in said shank, a dial plate within said dialiasc, an indicator on said rod opcratively assoeiatiui with said dialcase, a valve nuu'iuted on said rod to court with said valve plate whenthe float is in raised position, and a float disposed. in said floathousing and connected to said rod. 1

12. In a liquid level gnige, the combination of a dial element prrwidcdwith a shank having a. chamber therein and a downwardly facing internashoulder, said shank being internally threaded, a float housing threadedinto said shank, a valve plate having a central hole therein clampedbetween said shouh der in said chamber and the end of said floathousing, said shank having an opening above-said chamber to receive anindicator rod, an indicator rod reciprocable through said shank, anindicator on said rod operatively associated with said dial element, avalve on said rod coacting with said valve plate when the float is inits raised position, anda float disposed in said float housing andconnected to said rod.

13. In a liquid levelgage, the combination oil a dial element providedwith a shank, said shank having a, longitudinal opening therethrough, avalve seat having a central hole therein, a float housing depending fromsaid shank, an indieatm' rod reciprocable through said shank and hole insaid valve seat and provided with an indicator member operativelyassociated with said dial element, a valve on said rod adapted to coactwith said valve seat when the float 1s m lts raised position, and afloat disposed in said floathouslng and connected to said rod.

14. In a liquid level gage, the combination of a dial element providedwith. a shank having a vertical opening therethrough, a valve seatlntving a central hole therein, there b ing an external ventconununicating with said vertical opening in said. shank above the saidvalve seat, an indicator rod rcciproc-able through said shank and saidhole in said valve seat and provided with. an indicator memberopcratively associated with said dial element, a float operativelyconnected to said rod, and a valve on said rod ci'iacting with saidvalve seat when the float is in its raised position.

'15. A liquid level gage for automobile radiators comprising a dialhousing, a dial a neck for said dial housing having a chamber thereinand also having a passage connecting said chamber with said dialhousing, said passage being vented to the atmosphere below said dialhousing, a float housing below and communicating with said chamberthrough a relatively small opening, a float in said float housing, anindicator in said dial housing ill) voperatively associated with saiddial plate,

a rod connecting said float to said indicator and reciprocabie throughsaid chamber and float is in its raised position. i

16. A dialplate, an indicator opcrativeiy associated with said dialpiate a base for said dial plate adapted to be mounted on a liquidcontainer a float guiding tube extending downwardly from said base, saidbase being provided with a chamber between said dial plate and floatguiding tube, said chamber having openings at the top and bottom thereofadapted to receive an indicator rod, the upper opening having a ventopening to the atmosphere below said dial plate, a. float within saidtube, and an indicator rod connecting said indicator and float anddisposed through said openings at the top and bottom of said chamber andprovided with a valve adapted to close the bottom opening of saidchamber when the float is in its raised position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

\VILLIAM B. JARVIS.

